UPSC Prelims 2022 Question:

Consider the following statements

DNA Barcoding can be a tool to:

1. assess the age of a plant or animal.
2. distinguish among species that look alike.
3. identify undesirable animal or plant materials in processed foods.
   
   

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Explanation: 

• DNA barcoding is a system for species identification focused on the use of a short, standardized genetic region acting as a “barcode” in a similar way that Universal Product Codes (UPCs) are used by supermarket scanners to distinguish commercial products. DNA barcoding has got no association with determining the age of an organism. So, statement 1 is not correct.
  
  

• DNA barcoding is a system for fast and accurate species identification that makes ecological system more accessible by using short DNA sequence instead of whole genome and is used for eukaryotes. So, statement 2 is correct.
  
  

• In recent times, DNA barcoding has emerged as the most potent tool for detection of adulteration of food with unwanted plant and animal material. So, statement 3 is correct.
  
  

Therefore, option (4) is the correct answer.

Subject: Science & Technology|Biotechnology